Kilkerson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland spawned the name Kilkerson. It is derived from the Gaelic "Gille Criosd", which means "the servant of Christ".

Early Origins of the Kilkerson family

The surname Kilkerson was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire, where they held a family seat some say as far back as the 12th century. The first record of the name was in Cupar-Angus in the 15th century where they held a family seat at Murthly in Atholl, in the parish of Little Dunkeld in Perthshire.

Early History of the Kilkerson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kilkerson research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1680 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Kilkerson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kilkerson Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. Kilkerson has appeared as Gilchristson, Gilkerson, Gilkison, Gilcriston, Gilkersone, MacGilchrist, McGilchrist, Gilchristoun, Kilkerson, Gilkisone, Gilkrisoune, Gilkcrissone and many more.

Early Notables of the Kilkerson family

More information is included under the topic Early Kilkerson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kilkerson family to Ireland

Some of the Kilkerson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kilkerson family

Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The Kilkerson were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown: Archibald and Robert Gilkeson settled in Augusta County, Virginia in 1767.